Osteopathy faces scientific scrutiny and pediatric controversy

Osteopathy remains a popular practice in France, with approximately 35,000 practitioners. While it is used to treat various conditions such as back pain, digestive issues, and chronic fatigue, its scientific efficacy remains a subject of debate among medical authorities.

Recent controversy has specifically targeted the use of osteopathy for infants. Pediatricians and the Académie nationale de médecine have questioned the necessity of these treatments for newborns, particularly for conditions like positional plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome). Medical professionals express concern that such practices may unnecessarily alarm parents by suggesting that childbirth is a traumatic event for the infant, noting that many developmental issues resolve naturally over time.

Historically, osteopathy was founded in the United States in 1874 by Andrew Taylor Still as an alternative to the often dangerous medical interventions of the era. Today, while some consultations are partially reimbursed by social security in specific medical contexts, the discipline continues to face scrutiny regarding its scientific foundations and potential risks.